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Fernleaf Charter School breaks ground

FLETCHER - Local officials, educators, business leaders, and families gathered to officially break ground for FernLeaf Community Charter School Wednesday at the school’s 26 acre site on Howard Gap Road.

The new, tuitionfree public charter school will open this Fall and provide students with engaging, hands on, experiential learning opportunities. In its inaugural year, the school will serve students in kindergarten through third grade adding one grade each year until 8th grade.

“Today’s groundbreaking is the culmination of nearly four years of effort by dedicated teachers and parents who wanted to bring another educational option to families in the Fletcher area. They have provided the vision and passion for this school throughout the planning process. Their vision is being brought to fruition today through the support of community leaders, businesses, elected officials, and volunteers. FernLeaf is being created by this community, for this community.” said  Kevin Tierney, Chairman of the FernLeaf Board of Directors, in a news release.

Local business owner Charlie Owen donated the land just across from Fletcher Park where FernLeaf will open this August. Mr. Owen was onhand for the event along with Mayor of Fletcher Bill Moore and other members of the community including future students of the school. The ceremony marked the beginning of a four month construction period, possible because of the school’s permanent modular buildings constructed by THHC Building Systems LLC of Durham. Site work and installation will be completed by Flat Rock based Cooper Construction who has agreed to complete the project on a condensed timeframe and at cost. Samsel Architects of Asheville donated substantial services and worked alongside local civil engineering firm WGLA to provide crucial support in obtaining Planning and Zoning approval from the Townof Fletcher. The buildings, installation and other startup costs are being financed by Bank of North Carolina.

Enrollment is currently open for the 2016-17 school year and applications will be accepted until March 15. Families interested in learning more are invited to attend an upcoming Information Session on either February 20th at 10:30 am at the Hendersonville Public Library or March 5th at 10:30 am at REI’s Community Room in Biltmore Park. For more information or to apply, visit fernleafccs.org.

FernLeaf's Mission is to foster a rich learning environment that embodies the essence of community, understanding, and the human spirit. Grounded in humble respect for our surroundings, the individual, and the world as a whole, we seek to engage the unique passions and aptitudes of our school community so that in addition to achieving academic fluency, students become thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged.